The Current Evolution of Ancient Religious Institutions

[Belacqua]

Name some of these "lots" of people.  Galileo, Copernicus, and ...? Note that Galileo was indeed punished for the heresy of asserting heliocentricity.

I have found this book to be most helpful in learning about who learned of Copernicus and when. 

Administrator Notice
Link deleted. You man not post links to websites engaging in illegal activity.

There were widespread Humanist circles in Prussia, Cracow, France, Italy, etc. They wrote to each other frequently and shared books. 

Many of these humanists were early adopters of heliocentricism. You can go through the book and pick out their names like raisins. 

I think it's especially good in getting away from the good guys/bad guys view of history.